Pinch clamp

ABSTRACT

A pinch clamp for use in occluding intravenous tubing or other similar tubing can include patient comfort features and/or lateral disengagement prevention features. These features can also be designed in a manner that allows the pinch clamps to be more easily manufactured. A pinch clamp can include a first arm that is coupled to a second arm by hinges. Each of the first and second arms can form a clamping surface that are aligned when the first arm is positioned overtop the second arm. The first arm can include opposing openings and the second arm can include opposing tabs which insert through the openings when the first arm is positioned overtop the second arm. The retaining tabs interface with the openings to prevent the first arm from separating from the second arm.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/286,308, filed Oct. 5, 2016, entitled PINCH CLAMP, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/296,390 which wasfiled on Feb. 17, 2016 and is incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The pinch clamp is a well-known type of one-piece plastic clamp which isused to close off intravenous tubing. The pinch clamp generallycomprises a smooth, hard plastic material that is resilient and capableof controlled flexion to enable engagement and disengagement of theclamping surfaces.

The molding or extrusion process of manufacturing a pinch clampgenerally results in the clamp having sharp edges which may scratch orotherwise irritate the patient with which the clamp is used. Further,the hard, smooth properties of the clamp's plastic create difficulty ingrasping and manipulating the clamp during use, especially when theclamp becomes wet. In some instances, the hard, smooth properties of theclamp's plastic further results in unintentional disengagement of theclamp when a lateral force (i.e., a force in a direction perpendicularto the length of tubing) is applied to the interlocked arms of theclamp.

Thus, although methods and devices currently exist for clamping asection of tubing using a pinch clamp, challenges still remain.Accordingly, the features of the present invention address and overcomethese challenges.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to pinch clamps that are designed foruse in clamping or occluding intravenous tubing. More particularly, apinch clamp in accordance with embodiments of the present invention caninclude patient comfort features and/or lateral disengagement preventionfeatures. These features can also be designed in a manner that allowsthe pinch clamps to be more easily manufactured and assembled.

In one embodiment, the present invention is implemented as a pinch clampthat includes a first arm that is coupled to a second arm by hinges.Each of the first and second arms can form a clamping surface that arealigned when the first arm is positioned overtop the second arm. Thefirst arm can include opposing openings and the second arm can includeopposing retaining tabs which insert through the openings when the firstarm is positioned overtop the second arm. The retaining tabs interfacewith the openings to prevent the first arm from separating from thesecond arm.

In another embodiment, the present invention can be implemented as apinch clamp that includes a first arm having a rounded shape thatincludes opposing openings. The first arm forms a first clampingsurface. The pinch clamp can also include a second arm having a roundedshape that includes opposing retaining tabs. The second arm can alsoform a second clamping surface. The pinch clamp can further includeopposing hinges that couple the first arm to the second arm such that,when the first arm is positioned overtop the second arm, the retainingtabs insert into the openings and secure the first arm to the secondarm.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe description which follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or may be learned by the practice of the invention. Thefeatures and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained bymeans of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out inthe appended claims. These and other features of the present inventionwill become more fully apparent from the following description andappended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention asset forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and otheradvantages and features of the invention can be obtained, a moreparticular description of the invention briefly described above will berendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which areillustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawingsdepict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not thereforeto be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will bedescribed and explained with additional specificity and detail throughthe use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates a pinch clamp in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present invention in which the pinch clamp isoriented in a pre-assembled position;

FIG. 1B illustrates the pinch clamp of FIG. 1A in an assembled,disengaged position;

FIG. 1C illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the pinch clamp ofFIG. 1A in the assembled, disengaged position;

FIG. 1D illustrates the pinch clamp of FIG. 1A in an assembled, engagedposition;

FIG. 1E illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the pinch clamp ofFIG. 1A in the assembled, engaged position;

FIG. 2A illustrates a pinch clamp in accordance with one or moreadditional embodiments of the present invention in which the pinch clampis oriented in a pre-assembled position;

FIG. 2B illustrates the pinch clamp of FIG. 2A in an assembled,disengaged position;

FIG. 2C illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the pinch clamp ofFIG. 2A in the assembled, disengaged position;

FIG. 2D illustrates the pinch clamp of FIG. 2A in an assembled, engagedposition;

FIG. 2E illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the pinch clamp ofFIG. 2A in the assembled, engaged position;

FIG. 3 illustrates a pinch clamp in accordance with one or moreadditional embodiments of the present invention in which the pinch clampis oriented in a pre-assembled position;

FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate an assembly sequence that can be performed toassemble the pinch clamps of the present invention.

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrates a pinch clamp in accordance with one or moreadditional embodiments of the present invention in which the retainingtabs include separate pinch and clamp surfaces.

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrates a pinch clamp in accordance with one or moreadditional embodiments of the present invention in which the pinch clampincludes pinch tabs that are separate from the retaining tabs.

FIGS. 7A-7E illustrate a pinch clamp in accordance with one or moreadditional embodiments of the present invention in which the pinch clampincludes a separable hinge.

FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate a pinch clamp in accordance with one or moreadditional embodiments of the present invention in which the pinch clampincludes a separable hinge that allows the arms of the pinch clamp to beassembled in a linear fashion.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate how a pinch clamp in accordance with one ormore embodiments of the present invention can include clamping surfacesthat provide positive displacement of a fluid contained within theintravenous tubing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1A-1E illustrate a pinch clamp 100 that is configured inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. InFIG. 1A, pinch clamp 100 is shown in a pre-assembled position. FIGS. 1Band 1C show pinch clamp 100 in an assembled, disengaged position, whileFIGS. 1D and 1E show pinch clamp 100 in an assembled, engaged position.Pinch clamp 100 generally comprises a first arm 101 and a second arm 102which are interconnected by living hinges 103. Living hinges 103comprise thin flexible lengths of the same material from which first arm101 and second arm 102 are made. In other words, pinch clamp 100 can bemolded from a single material.

Living hinges 103 can be positioned on opposing sides of pinch clamp 100to thereby form a hinge opening 103 a between the living hinges. Hingeopening 103 a can function as a passageway through which intravenoustubing 150 may extend through pinch clamp 100. Second arm 102 caninclude an end wall 107 having a wall opening 107 a which forms anopposing passageway through which intravenous tubing 150 may alsoextend. Living hinges 103 allow first arm 101 to be positioned overtopsecond arm 102 into an assembled position and to be repeatedly engagedwith second arm 102 as will be further described below. The length ofliving hinges 103 can be sufficient to cause them to take on a roundedshape when pinch clamp 100 is in the assembled position. In other words,living hinges 103 bend but do not fold.

First arm 101 and second arm 102 have a generally rounded shape suchthat, when assembled, pinch clamp 100 forms a cylindrical shape. Firstarm 101 and second arm 102 each include corresponding clamping surfaces104 a, 104 b respectively which align when pinch clamp 100 is assembledas is shown in FIGS. 1C and 1E. First arm 101 further includes openings105 a, 105 b on opposing sides of the arm. Openings 105 a, 105 bcorrespond to retaining tabs 106 a, 106 b which are formed on opposingsides of second arm 102. When assembled, retaining tabs 106 a, 106 binsert through openings 105 a, 105 b respectively to retain pinch clamp100 in the assembled, disengaged position as is shown in FIGS. 1B and1C. More specifically, retaining tabs 106 a, 106 b can include ledges106 a 1, 106 b 1 respectively which catch on retaining surfaces 105 a 1,105 b 1 of openings 105 a, 105 b respectively to prevent first arm 101from separating from second arm 102.

When in the assembled, disengaged position, clamping surfaces 104 a, 104b do not occlude tubing 150 as is shown in FIG. 1C. To orient pinchclamp 100 in the engaged position, first arm 101 can be forced towardssecond arm 102 until engaging surface 108 a which is formed on aterminal end of first arm 101 is positioned underneath engaging ledge108 b that extends inwardly from end wall 107 as is shown in FIG. 1E. Inthis engaged position, clamping surfaces 104 a, 104 b occlude tubing 150to thereby restrict fluid flow.

One disadvantage of many prior art pinch clamps is that it is possibleto disengage the pinch clamp by applying a lateral force between thefirst and second arms. With reference to FIG. 1E, this lateral forcewould be in a direction into or out from the figure. In essence, such alateral force could cause the first arm to move sideways with respect tothe second arm to the point that the first arm is freed from the secondarm.

Pinch clamp 100 is designed to minimize the likelihood of this type oflateral disengagement. In particular, in addition to retaining pinchclamp 100 in an assembled position, retaining tabs 106 a, 106 b alsolimit lateral displacement of first arm 101. As shown in FIG. 1D, in theengaged position, retaining tabs 106 a, 106 b are positioned immediatelyinside the sidewalls of first arm 101. If a lateral force is appliedbetween first arm 101 and second arm 102, retaining tabs 106 a, 106 bwill contact first arm 101 to limit the lateral movement of first arm101 relative to second arm 102. As a result, engaging surface 108 acannot be freed from engaging ledge 108 b by laterally displacing firstarm 101—at least without a significant, intentional force that wouldbreak or otherwise damage retaining tabs 106 a, 106 b. In someembodiments, such as is depicted in FIGS. 1A-1E, first arm 101 mayinclude an extended portion 101 a positioned below openings 105 a, 105 bwhich causes the point of contact between retaining tabs 106 a, 106 band first arm 101 to be near the base of the retaining tabs. Bypositioning the point of contact near the base, retaining tabs 106 a,106 b will be less likely to bend in response to a lateral force. Thedesign of pinch clamp 100 therefore ensures that the clamp will only bedisengaged intentionally by applying a force to pivot end wall 107 awayfrom first arm 101.

Another advantage of the design of pinch clamp 100 is that it allows thepinch clamp to be molded with a two piece mold. As represented in FIG.1A, pinch clamp 100 can be manufactured in the flat position and thenassembled into the position shown in FIG. 1B. As those of skill in theart will understand, because of this, and because of the configurationof each component, a two piece mold can be employed thereby simplifyingthe manufacturing process.

Additionally, as indicated above, pinch clamp 100 can have a generallycylindrical shape when assembled. This cylindrical shape lacks sharpedges which may enhance patient comfort as well as clinician comfortduring use.

In some embodiments, pinch clamp 100 may alternatively be configured toinclude retaining tabs 106 a, 106 b on first arm 101 and openings 105 a,105 b on second arm 102. In such cases, pinch clamp 100 can function inthe same manner as described above. In some embodiments, a pinch clampmay be configured with a retaining tab and an opening on only one sideof the arms as opposed to the opposing retaining tabs and openings thatare depicted in the figures.

Also, many different types of clamping surfaces 104 a, 104 b may beemployed in addition to those depicted in the figures. For example, thefigures depict an instance where clamping surfaces 104 a, 104 b formclamping structures that are generally aligned and symmetrical. However,in some embodiments, clamping surfaces 104 a, 104 b can be configured toprovide positive fluid displacement during the clamping process. In thiscontext, positive displacement refers to causing fluid to flow in adirection towards end wall 107 (which is assumed to be towards thepatient) as clamping surfaces 104 a, 104 b occlude tubing 150. Toaccomplish this positive displacement, clamping surface 104 a, 104 b canbe shaped to cause tubing 150 to be progressively occluded in adirection towards end wall 107. For example, one or both of clampingsurfaces 104 a, 104 b could comprise angled surfaces. Alternatively, oneor both of clamping surfaces 104 a, 104 b may include multiple clampingstructures. A number of suitable clamping surface configurations thatcan accomplish positive fluid displacement are disclosed in U.S.Provisional Patent Application Nos. 62/247,615 filed on Oct. 28, 2015and 62/296,372 filed on Feb. 17, 2016.

FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate another pinch clamp 200 that is configured inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Pinchclamp 200 is structured and functions in substantially the same manneras pinch clamp 100. However, pinch clamp 200 includes living hinges 203which fold rather than bend. Living hinges 203 can comprise opposingshort lengths of material which couple the first and second arms ofpinch clamp 200 together and form a hinge opening 203 a. This shortlength causes living hinges 203 to take on a folded shape when pinchclamp 200 is assembled.

FIG. 3 illustrates another pinch clamp 300 that is configured inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Pinchclamp 300 is similar to pinch clamp 100 except that pinch clamp 300 doesnot have a generally rounded shape. Accordingly, FIG. 3 includesreference numerals similar to those in FIG. 1 to identify the similarcomponents. Most notably, pinch clamp 300 illustrates an embodimentwhere retaining tabs 306 a, 306 b are formed on first arm 301 whileopenings 305 a, 305 b are formed on second arm 302. In all regards,pinch clamp 300 can function in the same manner as described above.

In addition to facilitating manufacturing, the flat, unassembledorientation of the pinch clamps of the present invention alsofacilitates assembly. FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate a sequence of steps thatcan be employed to assemble a pinch clamp into the assembled, disengagedposition. Allow FIGS. 4A-4C depict this assembly process on pinch clamp100, the same process could be employed to assemble pinch clamp 200 orpinch clamp 300.

Pinch clamp 100 may be formed and processed by any compatible means ormethods of manufacturing. With reference to FIG. 4A, pinch clamp 100 isshown positioned atop two stationary rollers 401 a, 401 b in the flat,unassembled orientation with retaining tabs 106 a, 106 b pointingupwards. In some instances, pinch clamp 100 is alternatively positionedatop a slot formed by two stationary surfaces. In this orientation, twomoveable pins 402 a, 402 b can be positioned atop living hinges 103, andtubing 150 can be inserted upwardly through hinge opening 103 a. Then,as shown in FIG. 4B, which illustrates a cross-sectional view, pins 402a, 402 b can be moved downwardly towards stationary rods 401 a, 401 b.This downward movement will cause living hinges 103 to flex inwardlythereby closing first arm 101 overtop second arm 102. FIG. 4Cillustrates that this downward movement of pins 402 a, 402 b cancontinue to the point that ledges 106 a 1, 106 b 1 of retaining tabs 106a, 106 b have bypassed retaining surfaces 105 a 1, 105 b 1 of openings105 a, 105 b thereby interconnecting first arm 101 to second arm 102.Also, tubing 150 can be further inserted through hinge opening 103 a andout through wall opening 107 a to a desired distance. In someembodiments, such as is shown in FIG. 4C, a spacing between clampingsurfaces 104 a, 104 b can be small enough that tubing 150 is slightlysecured, but not occluded, when pinch clamp 100 is in the assembled,disengaged position to thereby prevent pinch clamp 100 from slidingalong tubing 150. Once first arm 101 has been interconnected with secondarm 102, pins 402 a, 402 b can be withdrawn thus completing the assemblyprocess.

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate another pinch clamp 500 that is configured inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. FIGS.5A-5C depict pinch clamp 500 in an unassembled position, an assembled,disengaged position, and an engaged position respectively. Pinch clamp500 has many similar components as pinch clamps 100 and 200 which areidentified with similar references. Unlike pinch clamps 100, 200, pinchclamp 500 includes tabs 506 a, 506 b in place of retaining tabs 106 a,106 b. Also, in pinch clamp 500, end wall 107 is split between first arm101 and second arm 102 and does not include engaging ledge 108 b forreasons that will become apparent below.

Tabs 506 a, 506 b can each include one or more retaining protrusions 507(of which two are shown in the figures) and a clamping protrusion 508.Retaining protrusions 507 can form retaining ledges 507 a that can servea similar purpose as ledges 106 a 1, 106 a 2 described above, namely,retaining pinch clamp 500 in the assembled position. Clampingprotrusions 508 can also form clamping ledges 508 a that function tosecure pinch clamp 500 in the engaged position and therefore replaceengaging ledge 108 b for this purpose.

Both retaining ledges 507 a and clamping ledges 508 a can be configuredto interface with retaining surfaces 105 a 1, 105 b 1. For example, inFIG. 5B, first arm 101 has been folded overtop second arm 102 to thepoint that tabs 106 a, 106 b have inserted through openings 106 a, 106 buntil retaining ledges 507 a abut retaining surfaces 105 al, 105 b 1.Tabs 506 a, 506 b can be biased outwardly so that first arm 101 willremain in this assembled, disengaged position absent an outside force.The sloped upper surface of retaining protrusions 507 can alsofacilitate sliding first arm 101 into this position.

FIG. 5C illustrates how pinch clamp 500 can be moved into the engagedposition. In particular, as first arm 101 is forced towards second arm102, clamping ledges 508 a will come clear of retaining surfaces 105 al,105 b 1 thereby causing tabs 105 a, 105 b to pivot slightly outward. Atthis point, clamping ledges 508 a will contact retaining surfaces 105al, 105 b 1 to retain pinch clamp 500 in the engaged position. For thisreason, there is no need for engaging ledge 108 b on end wall 107thereby allowing end wall 107 to be split between the two arms as shown.One benefit of splitting end wall 107 and therefore splitting wallopening 107 a is that intravenous tubing 150 will not need to bethreaded through wall opening 107 a during assembly.

To ensure that clamping protrusions 508 will not prevent retainingprotrusions 507 from engaging with retaining surfaces 105 a 1, 105 b 1,retaining protrusions 507 can extend outwardly farther than clampingprotrusions. In particular, clamping protrusion 508 will typically bepositioned directly within the structure of first arm 101 that formsopening 105 a, 105 b and may therefore cause tab 506 a, 506 b to bepivoted slightly inwardly. To ensure that this slightly inward pivotingdoes not cause pinch clamp 500 to become disassembled, retainingprotrusions 507 can extend outwardly sufficiently to remain in contactwith retaining surfaces 105 a 1, 105 b 1 even while clamping protrusions508 force tabs 506 a, 506 b inwardly.

To facilitate transitioning pinch clamp 500 from the engaged position tothe disengaged position or from the disengaged position to thedisassembled position, tabs 506 a, 506 b can include a squeezing surface509 positioned above retaining protrusions 507. Squeezing surface 509can generally be configured as a relatively flat extension of tab 506 a,506 b that is sized to accommodate a finger and thumb of the clinician.When an inward (or squeezing) force is applied to squeezing surfaces509, tabs 506 a, 506 b will pivot inwardly to allow retaining surfaces105 a 1, 105 b 1 to pass by clamping ledges 508 a and/or retainingledges 507 a. In this way, pinch clamp 500 can be more easilymanipulated.

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate another pinch clamp 600 that is configured inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. FIGS.6A-6C depict pinch clamp 600 in an unassembled position, an assembled,disengaged position, and an engaged position respectively. Pinch clamp600 also has many similar components as pinch clamps 100 and 200 whichare identified with similar references.

As with pinch clamps 100 and 200, pinch clamp 600 also includes openings105 a, 105 b and retaining tabs 106 a, 106 b which provide the samefunction of retaining pinch clamp 600 in the assembled position. Incontrast, to pinch clamps 100 and 200 however, pinch clamp 600 includesseparate clamping openings 605 a, 605 b and clamping tabs 606 a, 606 b.Clamping tabs 606 a, 606 b form clamping ledges 606 a 1, 606 b 1respectively which serve a similar function as clamping ledges 508 a.

FIG. 6B illustrates how pinch clamp 600 can be retained in the assembledposition due to the interface between ledges 106 a 1, 106 b 1 andretaining surfaces 105 a 1, 105 b 1 in the same manner as describedabove. When in this assembled position, clamping ledges 606 a 1, 606 b 1will be positioned below clamping surfaces 605 a 1, 605 b 1respectively. Then, as first arm 101 is pressed towards second arm 102,clamping tabs 606 a, 606 b will pivot inwardly to allow clamping ledges606 a 1, 606 b 1 to slide overtop clamping surfaces 605 a 1, 605 b 1.Clamping tabs 606 a, 606 b can be outwardly biased so that clampingledges 606 a 1, 606 b 1 will remain overtop clamping surfaces 605 a 1,605 b 1 to thereby secure pinch clamp in the engaged position.

Because clamping tabs 606 a, 606 b retain pinch clamp 600 in the engagedposition, there is no need to form engaging ledge 108 b on end wall 107.Accordingly, end wall 107 can be split between the two arms as describedabove. Also, clamping tabs 606 a, 606 b can include squeezing surfaces609 to facilitate pivoting clamping tabs 606 a, 606 b inwardly totransition pinch clamp 600 from the engaged position to the disengagedposition.

FIGS. 7A-7E illustrate another pinch clamp 700 that is configured inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. FIGS.7A-7E illustrate pinch clamp 700 in a separated position, a separated,disassembled position, an assembled, disengaged position, and an engagedposition respectively. Pinch clamp 700 is similar to pinch clamps 100and 200 except that it employs a separable hinge. This separable hingecan be formed of opposing hinge pins 703 a and corresponding hingeknuckles 703 b. The length of hinge pins 703 a can be truncated so as tonot block the opening through which the intravenous tubing will pass.Hinge knuckles 703 b can include a cutout (i.e., they can have ac-shape) which allows first arm 101 to be coupled to second arm 102 bypressing hinge pins 703 a into hinge knuckles 703 b.

In the depicted embodiment, hinge pins 703 a are oriented inwardly.However, in other embodiments, hinge pins 703 a can be orientedoutwardly. One way in which this can be accomplished is by forming hingepins 703 a and hinge knuckles 703 b on the opposite arms from what isshown in FIGS. 7A-7E.

A primary benefit of employing a separable hinge is that pinch clamp 700can be assembled by threading the tubing through the wall opening priorto coupling the two arms together. Then, with the tubing threaded, theother arm can be coupled and rotated into the assembled position.Although pinch clamp 700 is shown as having an end wall similar to theend wall in pinch clamps 100 and 200, pinch clamp 700 couldalternatively be configured to include the features of pinch clamp 500or pinch clamp 600 so that the end wall could be split between the twoarms. This would allow pinch clamp 700 to be assembled without threadingthe tubing through any opening.

FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate another pinch clamp 800 that is configured inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. FIGS.8A-8C illustrate pinch clamp 800 in a separated position, an assembled,disengaged position, and an engaged position respectively. Like pinchclamp 700, pinch clamp 800 includes a separable hinge. However, theseparable hinge of pinch clamp 800 is configured to allow the pinchclamp to be assembled in a linear fashion (i.e., without having tocouple the arms when they are positioned in a row and then rotate onearm 180° to the assembled position).

The separable hinge of pinch clamp 800 is formed of opposing hinge pins803 a which are oriented outwardly on one arm and hinge knuckles 803 bwhich are configured as elongated openings on the other arm. To assemblepinch clamp 800, the two arms can be placed on top of one another andhinge pins 803 a can be forced into hinge knuckles 803 b by squeezingthe two arms together (i.e., using a linear force). Because hingeknuckles 803 b are formed as openings within the body of the arm itself,the arm can flex sufficiently outward to allow the two arms to besnapped together with this linear force. In other words, the samesqueezing force can accomplish both the coupling of the hinge and theassembly of the pinch clamp into the disengaged position.

As with pinch clamp 700, a primary benefit of the separable hinge ofpinch clamp 800 is that the intravenous tubing can be threaded throughthe wall opening without having to first couple the two arms togetherand therefore without having to thread the tubing through the hingeopening. Also, pinch clamp 800 could be configured with the features ofpinch clamp 500 or 600 so that there would be no need to thread thetubing through the wall opening. In such cases, the tubing could beplaced on top of one arm and then the other arm could be placed on topand squeezed together to assemble the pinch clamp.

Any of the various embodiments of pinch clamps described herein can beconfigured to include clamping surfaces that provide positivedisplacement of fluid when the tubing is clamped. FIGS. 9A and 9Bprovide an example of how clamping surfaces 104 a, 104 b could beconfigured to provide this positive displacement. As shown, clampingsurfaces 104 a, 104 b include a proximal bump 104 a 1, 104 b 1 thatprotrudes from a distal surface 104 a 2, 104 b 2 respectively. In thiscontext, distal refers to the end of the pinch clamp that will beoriented closer to the patient.

Due to this configuration, proximal bumps 104 a 1, 104 b 1 will occludethe tubing first during the engagement motion. Then, as distal surfaces104 a 2, 104 b 2 come closer together, they will compress a downstreamsection of the tubing thereby forcing fluid (e.g., saline) containedtherein to be forced distally. This distal flow of fluid will in turncause blood that may have entered the downstream catheter to be flushedinto the patient's vasculature. It is believed that this type offlushing will increase the safe dwell time of the catheter.

Although the generally rounded shape of the pinch clamps of someembodiments of the present invention can enhance patient comfort, it canalso increase the difficultly of engaging and disengaging the clamp. Forthis reason, in some embodiments, a pinch clamp can include one or moretextured surfaces to enhance a clinician's grip on the pinch clamp. Forexample, with reference to FIGS. 1B and 2B, a top surface of first arm101 and a bottom surface of second arm 102 can include a texture toprevent a clinician's fingers from slipping when attempting to engagethe pinch clamp. In some embodiments, this texture could be locatedtowards end wall 107. Also, in some embodiments, this texture can beprovided in the form of a soft material that differs from the materialfrom which the remainder of the pinch clamp is formed. Examples ofsuitable textures, soft materials, and their placement are described inU.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 62/247,615 filed on Oct. 28,2015 which is incorporated herein by reference. As a specific exampleand with reference to the design of pinch clamp 100, a soft material maybe employed along a top, inner surface of end wall 107 against which theclinician may press to disengage the pinch clamp.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed:
 1. A pinch clamp comprising: a first arm coupled to asecond arm by hinges; wherein each of the first and second arms includesa clamping surface; and wherein one of the first or second arms includesat least one opening and the other of the first or second arms includesat least one corresponding retaining tab which inserts through theopening when the first arm is positioned overtop the second arm, theretaining tab interfacing with the opening to prevent the first arm fromseparating from the second arm.
 2. The pinch clamp of claim 1, whereinthe at least one retaining tab comprises opposing retaining tabs and theat least one opening comprises opposing openings, and wherein eachretaining tab includes a ledge which catches on a retaining surface ofthe corresponding opening.
 3. The pinch clamp of claim 2, wherein eachretaining tab is positioned inside the first arm and the ledge extendsoutwardly through the corresponding opening such that the retaining tabprovides reinforcement against lateral displacement of the first arm. 4.The pinch clamp of claim 1, wherein the first arm includes an engagingsurface at a terminal end and the second arm includes an engaging ledge,and wherein the engaging surface can be positioned underneath theengaging ledge to maintain the pinch clamp in an engaged position inwhich the clamping surfaces occlude tubing that is inserted through thepinch clamp.
 5. The pinch clamp of claim 1, wherein each of the at leastone retaining tab includes one or more retaining ledges that interfacewith the corresponding opening to prevent the first arm from separatingfrom the second arm as well as a clamping ledge that interfaces with thecorresponding opening to retain the pinch clamp in an engaged position.6. The pinch clamp of claim 1, wherein each of the at least oneretaining tab includes a squeezing surface.
 7. The pinch clamp of claim1, wherein one of the first or second arms includes at least oneclamping opening and the other of the first or second arms includes atleast one corresponding clamping tab which inserts through the clampingopening when the first arm is positioned overtop the second arm, theclamping tab interfacing with the clamping opening to retain the pinchclamp in an engaged position.
 8. The pinch clamp of claim 1, wherein theclamping surfaces are configured to clamp tubing in a manner that causespositive fluid displacement.
 9. The pinch clamp of claim 8, wherein atleast one of the clamping surfaces is angled.
 10. The pinch clamp ofclaim 8, wherein at least one of the clamping surfaces includes multipleclamping structures.
 11. The pinch clamp of claim 1, wherein the hingesbend to form a rounded shape when the first arm is positioned overtopthe second arm.
 12. The pinch clamp of claim 1, wherein the hinges foldon top of themselves when the first arm is positioned overtop the secondarm.
 13. The pinch clamp of claim 1, wherein the hinges are separable.14. The pinch clamp of claim 1, wherein one or both of the first orsecond arms includes texture or a soft material on one or more outersurfaces.
 15. A pinch clamp comprising: a first arm having a roundedshape that includes opposing openings, the first arm also forming afirst clamping surface; a second arm having a rounded shape thatincludes opposing retaining tabs, the second arm also forming a secondclamping surface; and opposing hinges that couple the first arm to thesecond arm, wherein when the first arm is positioned overtop the secondarm, the retaining tabs insert into the openings and secure the firstarm to the second arm.
 16. The pinch clamp of claim 15, wherein thesecond arm includes an end wall having a wall opening and the hinges arespaced to form a hinge opening such that tubing can be inserted throughthe hinge opening and the wall opening.
 17. The pinch clamp of claim 15,wherein the first arm also includes opposing clamping openings and thesecond arm includes opposing clamping tabs, the clamping tabsinterfacing with the clamping openings to retain the pinch clamp in anengaged position.
 18. The pinch clamp of claim 15, wherein the hingesare separable.
 19. The pinch clamp of claim 15, wherein each retainingtab includes one or more retaining ledges that interface with thecorresponding opening to secure the first arm to the second arm, andwherein each retaining tab further includes a clamping ledge thatinterfaces with the corresponding opening to retain the pinch clamp inan engaged position.
 20. A method for assembling a pinch clamp,comprising: positioning a pinch clamp on rollers, the pinch clampcomprising: a first arm coupled to a second arm by hinges; wherein eachof the first and second arms includes a clamping surface; and whereinone of the first or second arms includes one or more sets of opposingopenings and the other of the first or second arms includes one or moresets of opposing tabs, each set of tabs configured to insert through acorresponding one of the sets of openings when the first arm ispositioned overtop the second arm, the tabs interfacing with thecorresponding openings to prevent the first arm from moving away fromthe second arm; placing pins on top of the hinges while the pinch clampis oriented with the tabs pointing upward; inserting tubing through anopening formed between the hinges; and using the pins to apply adownward force against the hinges thereby causing the first arm to bepositioned overtop the second arm and causing the tabs to insert intothe corresponding openings.